Routes
Export Line
Export Line is the route we use when a full machine line is coming from China into South Africa and the import file needs to match the factory plan. It covers the production line as one working package, from machine specification and crate sequence to offloading position and installation order.
Mapping a line before shipment
Export Line is for South African buyers bringing in a production line from China with the export paperwork, freight planning and site layout already in view. We use it to map the machine spec, shipping sequence and installation steps before the line lands on your factory floor.
We start with the product being made, the line speed required, and the utilities available on site. Three phase supply, compressed air, extraction, forklift turning space, door height, and slab condition all change how a CNC or laser line should be packed, shipped, and placed. Durban humidity, inland dust, and planned outages must be considered before dispatch, not after the crates arrive.
Factory photos need to show access points, power boards, existing machines, and the area where unloading will happen. Those images help us set the crate order, identify rigging risks, and flag layout clashes that a supplier drawing may not show. A short record of previous problems is useful as well, especially if a prior import had missing parts, incorrect voltage, or freight damage.
What the route pack covers
The pack sets out the machine list, key dimensions, loading sequence, freight method, and installation steps for the South African site. It also records what must be checked before shipment from China, what should be verified on arrival, and which items need to be on hand for commissioning. Clear paperwork matters when one line includes several machines, spare parts, tooling, and electrical extras.
Use Export Line together with the related route pages if the job includes more than one process or supplier. Before the containers leave China, confirm the packing list against the actual machine build, control cabinets, consumables, and loose accessories.
- Crate sequence matched to site access
- Pre-shipment checks tied to installation order
- Email trail linked to one line plan
Site conditions that change the plan
South African factories often have old slabs, restricted loading yards, shared truck access, and power constraints that affect where a line can be placed. A machine that fits on paper may still need a revised crate size, different lifting method, or staged installation once the site is measured. OR Tambo air freight, Durban port handling, and inland delivery legs should be weighed against the urgency of the damaged or missing production capacity.
Near the coast, corrosion control, cabinet sealing, and storage conditions need closer attention before commissioning. On Highveld sites, dust protection around rails, optics, drives, and sensors can affect the first production run and the early maintenance schedule. If the line includes laser equipment, extraction layout and chiller position must be checked against the actual room and ambient conditions.
Operated by Astros Marketing (Pty) Ltd from 2 Makro Place, Sunnyrock 1401.
Export paperwork and site pack
Send the Export Line brief with factory photos, target dates, and a clear note on what has already gone wrong. Keep the email subject specific.
Send the machine description, factory photos, required output, utility details, and the dates driving the import. Include anything that has gone wrong on the current line, such as alignment issues, poor cut quality, unstable power, transport damage, or missing manuals. That gives the export file context before sourcing, freight booking, and installation planning move ahead.
What our Machine Sourcing customers say
Verified Google reviews